Importance of Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet Essay example -- Shake

mendicant Laurence plays an important part in the narrative development of Romeo and Juliet. He is nave and detached from society so doesnt amply appreciate the bitterness of the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. The well intentioned advice that he gives to Romeo and Juliet is thus misguided and this develops a sense of foreboding. The advice that beggar Laurence gives sets the young lovers on a row which the audience senses will end in tragedy. With regard to his character, Friar Laurence is a contemplative and moral man yet he lacks real insight in human nature i.e. their passions and motivations. When we first meet Friar Laurence, he compares plants to human nature concluding thatVirtue itself turns vice being misappliedAnd vice sometime by action dignifiedFrom our first meeting with Friar Laurence the audience sees how naive he is to believe so simply in the goodness of man. It is partly this distinctive that causes his schemes to end tragically. Friar Laurence is a man of self control who believes that violent delights have violent ends. In other words, people should be measured and non let passion overrule their good judgement. This is almost a premonition of what happens later on in the play when Romeo and Juliets short but aroused love ends in death. Shakespeare portrays the Friar as a prudent and modest man of God. Friar Laurence is trustworthy we know this because both Juliet and Romeo trust him enough to discover their love for one another to him. They also seek his advice to find a way to be together. This trust is also based on Friar Laurences reputation as a highly respected member of Veronas society, the whole city is much bound to him. Romeo refers to Friar Laurence as hi... ...eveal their innermost feelings to the audience. Shakespeare uses Friar Laurence as a device to achieve this. Friar Laurence also acts as the messenger in the play. In Shakespearean times, Romeo and Juliet would have been performed in theatres like The Gl obe. thither would be a lot of noise and distraction for the audience and it was likely that they would miss out on important parts of the play. The actor playing Friar Laurence up dates the audience regularly. An example of this is when he gives the audience a synopsis of the story right at the end of the play Is not so retentive as is a tedious tale. . . This is helpful for the audience because it allows them to catch up with important parts that they might have missed.As the audience sees Friar Laurences plans fail one by one, a sense of foreboding develops which prepares the audience for the unfolding tragedy